Most of the characters in this story belong to Paramount and whoever else has current legal ownership of all things Star Trek at the moment. No infringement on any corporate, business, or individual's rights is intended in any way. This story is not being written for profit, just for enjoyment.
Beginnings Chapter 2
She was always early. It had been a trait of hers since childhood to arrive far in advance of any activity. And today was no exception. Nyota Uhura had arrived 20 minutes early in order to allow herself enough time to properly stretch out her muscles before training. The last thing she wanted to do in front of her team mates/friends was to either embarrass or hurt herself this morning as she continued to teach them the proper techniques for running the hurdles. She and her friends had volunteered to help raise credits in the fall fundraiser for the local children's charities in San Francisco and their team had been selected to run the hurdle relay. Never the one to do anything half way, Nyota was going to make sure that her team was well trained prior to the track meet which would be the featured event during the week long fund raiser.
It was raining which normally would not have mattered to her, being from a relatively mild climate, the rain was not a rare occurrence in her world. However, the cold was a different matter entirely. How she missed the warmth of her native lands on mornings such as these. In order to raise her spirits, she began to sing a childhood song about the rain as she stretched. The tunnel that she was stretching in offered her both dry conditions as well as great acoustics. She soon found herself emboldened by the echo and raised her voice even louder in song.
She suddenly heard footsteps in the distance and stopped mid lyric to listen. The track had been completely deserted when she had looked out of the tunnel just before she began to stretch. She now focused on the foot falls. Who ever this runner was they were indeed very light on their feet as well as fast. And judging by the elapsed time between each step she surmised that this runner must also be very tall. He or she was no doubt quite dedicated too because of not only the early hour but the inclement weather as well.
She quickly started up her song again wanting to act nonchalant even though her interest was now peaked by this 'mystery' runner and she found herself most curious as to the runner's identity. Her father had always teased her that 'she had never met a stranger' and Nyota had to admit that there was some truth behind her father's words. As she heard the footfalls start to pass in front of the tunnel's entrance, she quickly turned her head mid verse in order to get a good look at the runner before he or she passed her by. She had been correct. The runner was indeed very tall, and judging by his very attractive physique, very much male. Unfortunately his face was bundled up against the cold dampness of the morning and she immediately regretted not being able to see his whole face. He was no doubt from a hotter, dryer climate to be as warmly clothed as he was. Her eyes then quickly focused upon his face as she immediately locked eyes with the runner's eyes. And in the split second that her gaze held his very dark, soulful eyes, she could plainly see curiosity no doubt very much mirrored in her own eyes sparkle within his dark orbs. It would seem that he was as much interested in her as she was in him.
Suddenly his powerful stride faltered slightly, sending his feet into a hastefully choreographed repositioning so as to regain his footing. She did not want to embarrass this pillar of maleness for fear of sending him away too quickly, so she continued to sing thereby giving him the appearance that she had not even noticed the lapse in his running style. But she couldn't help but smile at him as he once again fell into his stride when he tried unsuccessfully to project a false sense of nonchalance to her as he quickly recovered his composure.
She was immediately struck by the change in his eyes in response to her smile. His eyes suddenly darkened even further and she could inexplicably now feel his arousal which immediately caused her to have a similar lustful reaction. She had rarely ever been attracted to a man at first sight in the past, so her reaction to him was as surprising as it was strong.
As she continued to smile at him she noticed that his stride once again faltered but he appeared to be much less interested in regaining his rhythm in a dignified fashion this time as he began to slow his pace. She had the fleeting impression that he was about to stop and talk to her when she heard her teammates emerge from the dressing room calling out to her loudly.
"Hey, Ny!" Bobbie called out to her "Believe it or not we made it for practice even though it is practically still nighttime. I really don't understand why you had to change the practice time from late afternoon to the crack of dawn."
"Morning girlfriend!" Gaila shouted cheerfully to her.
"Hi Ny!" Shirley yelled loudly "I brought DOUUUGHNUTTTTS!"
Her eyes never leaving his, she watched as her mystery runner politely nodded to her as he began to once again regain his stride. He then picked up speed so quickly that within a fraction of a second he was out of her sight. Nyota immediately stopped both stretching and singing as she ran to the tunnel entrance to watch him as he rounded the next curve.
Her team mates swiftly caught up to her curious as to what had captured her attention so suddenly, and all four of them now stood watching at the tunnel entrance as the runner's stride lengthened once again when he entered the straight a way and he gained even more speed. His stride was both fluid and powerful. He was indeed a beautiful specimen of maleness. Nyota found that she could not take her eyes away from the sight of him.
"God!" Shirley remarked almost dropping the sack of doughnuts "Would you look at the ass on that!" she announced loudly to her team mates as they all continued to watch the runner.
"Ny" Gaila began "would it be OK with you if I sorta ran after and caught that gorgeous, fleet-footed male creature?" she asked Nyota not at all sure if she was teasing or not "It will only take me a few minutes to seduce him, I promise."
"Gaila! No!" Nyota replied firmly then realizing her abruptness. "We really need to practice for the track meet, not for a wrestling match." She followed up with quickly trying her best to cover up her unexplained feeling of possessiveness of the runner. "You are already quite proficient at seduction, so you certainly don't need any more practice."
Gaila turned to her surprised at Nyota's quick words. "Uh oh!" Gaila began, poking Nyota in the left shoulder with the index finger of her right hand. "Looks like someone here has already called 'dibs' on that hunk of maleness." She teased "I hope that I am using the word 'dibs' correctly." She then added quickly and contritely.
"No I'm not and yes you are." Nyota firmly replied back to her.
"I think I'm in love." Bobbie said dreamily wrapping her arms around herself in a quick hug.
"Bobbie, I'm pretty sure that this is like the 33rd time you have been 'in love' and that's just this week." Nyota remarked tightly as they all continued to watch the runner as he exited the stadium track for the cross country track.
"Too bad the eye candy is gone." Shirley lamented "I can only imagine how those long legs and that broad chest would look in my bed."
"Shouldn't you check with your teddy bear first before infringing upon Mr. Cuteness' bed space? Nyota replied somewhat heatedly.
Her three team mates all turned towards her at once, their eyes now wide open in surprise at the now quite obvious possessiveness in Nyota's tone.
"You DO have 'dibs' on him…I knew it!" Gaila said triumphantly.
"Who is he, Ny?" Bobbie asked quickly.
"And more importantly" Shirley said with a big grin "How come you've been keeping him a secret from us?"
"I have never seen this guy before today." Nyota defended "And I really don't have a clue as to who he is."
Nyota's impromptu but sincere confession was suddenly met by the stony and skeptical stares of her friends.
Her room mate's face quickly softened as she came to Nyota's rescue. "I believe you, Ny." She said sweetly. "Maybe we can figure out who he is when he comes back in to the stadium after he finishes the cross country course."
"Yeah, maybe." Bobbie replied still not convinced as to Nyota's honesty with respect to her already knowing the runner. "Shirl and I are going to go drag the hurdles out since it's our turn today." And with that said Shirley and Bobbie walked out of the tunnel towards the storage area under the bleachers.
Gaila quickly put her arm around Nyota's shoulder as they began walking "Something happened between you and our mystery running man didn't it?"
Gaila had been Nyota's room mate for a year and could read Nyota like a book by now, much to Nyota's chagrin.
Nyota let out a sigh she didn't realize she had been holding. "No, nothing happened." She replied quietly.
"Roomie, give it up." Gaila demanded as she and Nyota began to walk out of the tunnel together. "I know you well enough to know that you don't act defensive and or possessive about any male unless you know and like them."
"I'm serious, Gaila." Nyota replied turning her head to lock eyes with her. "This is the first time that I have ever seen this guy."
"Then your reaction to him is most interesting." Gaila replied as Nyota returned her gaze to the track in front of them "On my planet we would call this 'lusting'. But here on Earth I have researched that such a reaction at meeting someone for the first time is called 'love at first sight'."
Nyota stopped dead in her tracks at Gaila's words realizing that Gaila had suddenly struck a nerve within her. "I really can't explain my reaction to this guy." She began, her mind now fumbling to search out her emotions in past relationships upon first meeting her boyfriends. She quickly came to the conclusion that her reaction to the mystery runner was indeed very much different from any of her previous first meetings and she was still totally clueless as to explain why. "Yes, I was immediately attracted to him physically but it seems that there is something more to it than just that."
"I once read that your heart leads your head, roomie." Gaila informed her hugging her to her gently.
"Oh yeah?" Nyota inquired now curious as to how her passionate, uncontrollable roommate had suddenly just become the 'love guru'.
"Yeah." Gaila replied with a giggle releasing Nyota from the hug. "Dear Abby said that once, so therefore it must be true.
Nyota cracked a smile. She could always count on Gaila to make her laugh. They both began laughing in earnest as they walked up to Shirley and Bobbie.
"Now what's so funny?" Bobbie called out as she was setting the last hurdle up.
"Did you know that Gaila here is now a full fledged 'love' counselor?" Nyota joked.
"Now that is funny." Shirley replied. "When are your office hours, Doctor Love? I need to make an appointment and fast!"
Gaila beamed at her and Nyota knew for sure that Gaila would be somewhat unbearable for the next few days given her new title.
"Let's start warming up ladies." Nyota called out to them leading them over to the inside of the track and onto the turf.
The group spent the next 10 minutes stretching both themselves and each other. Bobbie had strained a muscle during yesterday's practice so Nyota was even more insistent that they stretch out properly today before practice. Running the hurdles was a tough event and injuries were quite common.
"Shirley goes first today." Nyota said, finally satisfied with everyone's limberness. "Remember half speed only. We are working on form right now."
Shirley obediently walked to the starting line and waited for Nyota's signal. Nyota quickly raised and then lowered her arm as Shirley sprinted away from the starting line heading for the first hurdle. After successfully navigating over the last hurdle and past their practice finish line, Shirley flashed a huge grin.
"Very nice, Shirl." Nyota said with a bright smile. "Bobbie's next."
The temperature was still quite cold, but the rain had stopped and the sun had started to peek out from the clouds after about 10 minutes of practicing their form running the hurdles.
"Now let's try some kicking up the speed on this round." Nyota instructed quite happy with how their practice was going so far.
"It's getting warmer." Bobbie commented unzipping the top of her warm up suit and removing it. "I need to lose some clothes." She walked over and leaned against the bleacher wall for balance as she began to remove her warm up pants. Shirley and Gaila followed her and also began to take off their warm up suits.
"I'll going to have another run before I strip." Nyota decided as she quickly walked over to the starting line. She sprinted off the starting line as the imaginary starting gun went off in her head. She felt powerful and well paced as she easily jumped the hurdles one by one; following up with a quick sprint passed their practice finish line.
"Nice one, roomie!" Gaila called out to her as Nyota circled back towards her team.
"Hey girls!" Shirley called out excitedly pointing across the track. "He's back!"
Nyota had just walked up to her team and she quickly followed Shirley's pointing finger turning her head back around to take a look across the track. She suddenly felt her heart rate increase. It was him.
"No it's not." Bobbie countered looking down at her cron. "I had checked the time when Shirl and I pulled the hurdles out." She continued confidently "There is no way that that guy completed the long course so quickly. It's only been 23 minutes."
"Maybe he doubled back." Shirley countered.
"Then he wouldn't be on that side of the track." Gaila replied "Believe me, if he had walked past us I would have noticed him."
"So maybe it's not him." Bobbie suggested again.
"Or maybe he's just that fast!" Shirley contended "We all saw that how fast he was on the stadium track."
As Nyota looked at the runner in question two other runners suddenly sprinted past him. She noticed that he appeared almost surprised at the near miss and he immediately began to jog off the track heading for the bleachers. "It's him." She said quietly, almost breathlessly.
Her team mates turned towards her in unison somewhat surprised at her softly spoken words.
Gaila then clapped her hands together in glee. "Ny, so here is your big chance to go over and introduce yourself."
Nyota looked over at Gaila her eyes actually showing the fear she suddenly felt. "No!" she replied quickly.
"But first you need to take off your warm up suit so he can get a good look at that cute body of yours, roomie." Gaila continued unperturbed by Nyota's sudden outburst of denial.
"Gaila, no!" Nyota repeated more fiercely this time. "We are here to practice, not to pick up strange men."
"But he's not strange." Gaila defended with a logic only Gaila could understand "We have all seem him before."
"Yeah, like 23 minutes ago." Bobbie reminded them.
Nyota found herself now sweating inside her warm up suit. She quickly blamed it on her last fast paced hurdle run, but in the back of mind she knew that she was really sweating because she was now actually nervous at seeing her mystery runner again. Pushing that feeling deep down within her, she suddenly turned around and began removing her warm up suit. "Come on." She said forcefully with a determination that she now had to fake. "We've only got 45 minutes left to practice full runs, now let's get to it."
Surprisingly her team mates followed her over to the starting line without argument. But Nyota knew that her team mates were sharing some silent signals between themselves no doubt about her. Shirley immediately stepped up to the line ready to run. Nyota signaled her to start and she immediately sprinted off the line. Nyota then spared a glance across the track and found her mystery runner now seated half way up in the bleachers. Even from that distance, Nyota had the distinct feeling that he was watching her. She suddenly felt herself growing warm again.
Bobbie then stepped up to the starting line and Nyota signaled her to begin. As Bobbie sprinted away, Nyota again looked over across the track. She noticed that her mystery runner now had his head turned downward, his body now quite rigid. Perhaps he was just tired and trying to relax. She found herself hoping that nothing was actually wrong with him, surprised at herself for her sudden concern over what for all practical accounts was a total stranger.
"Ny, you're looking at him again, aren't you." Gaila asked quietly bumping her shoulder with hers.
"Of course not." Nyota lied in reply to which Gaila then poked her in the arm. "OK, OK!" Nyota confessed quickly "Yes, I am."
Gaila let out a squeal and happily walked up to the starting line awaiting Nyota's signal. As Gaila sprinted away Nyota looked across the track again and noticed that her mystery runner was still in the same position. He looked almost like he was meditating now.
It was now Nyota's turn to run as her position as anchor for her team. She took a deep calming breath as she imagined the starting gun going off in her head. She knew that this particular run was one of her better runs of the day as she heard her team mates start to cheer her on. Irrationally, she found herself hoping that her mystery runner was watching her too. After she passed the finish line she shot a quick glance across the track to look at him. She suddenly felt another burst of heat rise up her spine as she tried to focus on his face. But the distance separating them was such that she could barely discern his face at all. But in the very brief glance, she felt more than actually saw that his dark eyes were indeed trained upon her. She closed her eyes briefly trying to clear her mind. She really needed to focus on the hurdles and not this guy. She blew out a quick breath determined to not look across the track again during practice.
After almost 30 minutes of taking turns running the hurdles, Nyota finally convinced herself to steal another glance towards the other side of the track and suddenly found that her mystery runner was now nowhere to be seen. Gaila had noticed too as she walked up to stand beside Nyota and she quickly put her arms around Nyota hugging her gently in support.
"He hasn't been gone long. You still have time Ny." Gaila insisted "Just go sit outside the mens dressing room door and wait for him to come out. It's that easy."
"Absolutely not!" Nyota replied firmly, actually crossing her arms over her chest in defiance as Gaila dropped her arms from around her.
"Then let me go and I'll find out who he is and get his com number for you." Gaila insisted pleading with Nyota. "He may be just a visitor to the campus and once he's gone it may be impossible to find him again. Then you would never get the chance to ever meet your true love."
"Have you been reading romance novels under the covers late at night again?" Nyota asked trying her best to be mad and not embarrassed at Gaila calling the mystery runner her 'true love'.
"OK, maybe just a few" Gaila began "But Ny you really can't just let him go like that." She practically begged reaching out to grab her by the shoulders and squeezing her affectionately. "I've never seen you act like this before. You are definitely serious about this guy and I want to make sure that you have at least the chance to meet him, that's all."
"Gaila" Nyota said quietly reaching out and giving Gaila a huge hug. "I appreciate what you are trying to do for me, I really do. But if it's meant to be then I have no doubt that I will encounter this mystery runner again in the future. I believe in fate, Gaila."
"Well I believe that fate sometimes needs a little bump in the right direction." Gaila replied bumping her shoulder into Nyota affectionately. "But always remember that Dr. Love here likes Terran weddings, especially when she's a bridesmaid." Gaila replied proudly, a huge smile now lighting up her face.
Nyota hugged her one more time affectionately and then smiled broadly back at her. "I wouldn't dream of getting married without you, Dr. Love." She replied, both of them now giggling.
"You are my best and dearest friend, Ny." Gaila began grabbing onto Nyota's shoulders firmly, tears suddenly appearing in her eyes as her voice became quite serious. "I can only hope that you will find someone who is deserving of your intellect, your dreams, and your loving personality."
Nyota's heart tightened in her chest suddenly at Gaila's words and she reached out to pull Gaila into a fierce hug, tears starting to well up in her own eyes as she continued to hug her.
"And yeah" Gaila sniffled into Nyota's hair. "it wouldn't hurt much if your dream man had a drop dead gorgeous body either!"
They both soon began to laugh in between their sniffles.
Gaila then pulled away from Nyota with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But in the meantime, there's a sale on vibrators down at 'Good Vibrations' today, and you and I are going to catch the hover bus down there this afternoon after classes." Gaila suddenly declared wagging her finger at Nyota as they both began to giggle. "And that's an order from Dr. Love!"